Machine for bending preformed sinuous wire strips



Jan. 15, 1957 H. H. FANTE ET AL 2,777,476

MACHINE FOR BENDING PREFORMED SINUOUS WIRE STRIPS Filed Oct. 9, 1952 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR-Y 69194? 6. FAA/7'5 AUGUJZ 77 com/,9

Jan. 15, 1957 H, H. F'ANTE ET AL 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 9,- 1952 Wow 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jan. 15, 1957 H. H. FANTE ET AL MACHINE FOR BEINDING PREFORMED SINUOUS WiRE STRIPS Filed Oct. 9, 1952 fi mmmml Jan. 15, 1957 H. H. FANTE ET AL 2,777,475

MACHINE FOR BENDING PREFORMED SINUOUS WIRE STRIPS Filed Oct. 9, 1952 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 A Train [K9 Jan. 15, 1957 H. H. FANTE ET AL 2,777,476

MACHINE FOR BENDING PREFORMED smuous WIRE STRIPS Filed Oct. 9,. 1952 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEYS Filed Oct. 9, 1952 H- H. FANTE ET AL MACHINE FOR BENDING FREFORMED SINUOUS WIRE STRIPS 7 Sheets-Sh 6 INVEN RS ffl y f Aasz/s 77 O/V/A BY V Jan. 15, 1957 H. H. FANTE ET AL 2,777,476

MACHINE FOR BENDING PREFORMED SINUOUS WIRE STRIPS Filed Oct. 9, 1952 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 260 9'6 20 04 /a4 do 246 2%? aro (V6 68 242 244 2J4 INVENTORS #HAAV FAA/714- A06 (/57- 7? GO/V/A ATTOK/Vf/S Unitcd States Patent MACHINE FGR BENDING PREFORMED SINUOUS WIRE STRIPS Harry H. Fante, Riverside, and August T. Gonia, Berwyn, Ill., assignors, by mesne assignments, to Rockwell Spring and Axle Company, Coraopolis, Pa., a corpora- This invention relates to a machine for bending wire and more particularly to a machine for bending preformed sinuous or corrugated wire sections or strips into configurations adapted for use in automobile seat or back cushions.

l-leretofore various types of machines have been employed in forming bends in preformed corrugated wire but no machine that would perform a succession of bends of different degrees has proved generally successful without some handling of the wire by the operator between the bending operations. It is an object of this invention to provide a machine which from the initial introduction of the wire thereinto will successively perform various bending operations on the wire without manipulation or handling of the wire by the operator.

It is another object of this invention to provide a machine which upon introduction of an end of a wire section thereinto will draw such section completely into the machine, and position such section for commencement of the bending operation.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a machine which will automatically form various bends in a wire section introduced thereinto and eject such section upon completion of the various bending operations.

A meritorious feature of this invention is the provision in a machine for bending preformed zigzag wire of opposed wire supporting channels that are movable toward and away from each other, and wire twisting heads rotatable and reciprocable through the walls of the channels.

A further meritorious feature in a machine of the character described is the provision of a plurality of wire twisting elements extending through the walls of a pair of opposed movable wire supports, with the elements rotatable to a position of alignment with the supports.

Other objects, advantages, and meritorious features will more fully appear in the following drawings, claims, and specification, wherein:

Fig. 1 is illustrative of a corrugated wire section asit is shaped during the various bending steps.

Fig. 2 is illustrative of the corrugated section upon completion of the bending operation.

Fig. 3 is a top view of the machine.

Fig. 4 is a side view of the machine with the channel actuating units eliminated for clarity.

Fig. 5 is a broken cross sectional view of the wire feed channel taken on line 55 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5A is the same view as Fig. 5 but with the channel backed off.

Fig. 6 is a broken cross sectional view taken on line 66 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a broken cross sectional view through the wire feed channel showing a forming head taken on line 77 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 3. I

Fig. 8A is the same view as Fig. 8 but with the channel walls backed off from the wire.

s Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view of the left end of the machine taken on line 99 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a bro-ken cross sectional view of the machine taken on line li)1t} of Fig. 7.

Fig. 11 is a broken sectional view taken on line ill- 11 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 12 is a side view of the wire feed mechanism and channel.

Fig. 13 is a broken sectional view taken on line l3 13 of Fig. 3 showing the wire feed channel in the closed position;

Fig. 14 is a schematic view of the control circuits and hydraulic conduits controlling the machines operation; and

Fig. 15 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on a line parallel to line 11-11 of Fig. 3 but offset therefrom and showing the conveyor at the left hand end of its travel.

In general the invention described contemplates a machine which receives sections of zigzag wire either from another machine by means of a conveyor, 01 by manual introduction thereinto by the operator. Upon partial insertion of the section a conveyor picks up the wire section and draws it into the machine. The conveyor posi-.

tions the wire within the machine so that certain of the loops in the wire may be engaged by the bending heads or twisters which bend the wire. A series of such twisters or bending heads are spaced along the lineal extent of the machine and are operable to successively bend the wire. Upon completion of the bending operations the wire is permitted to fall out of the machine. The various bending operations are controlled and actuated by an electrical and fluid pressure system.

The machine, generally shown in Figs. 3 and 4, is supported above the floor by a frame assembly which for clarity is not shown. Referring to the top view, Fig. 3, resting upon this frame are the arcuate base bars and 22. becured to bar 24 at the left end by angle brackets 24 is the left-hand twister assembly 26. Secured to the right hand end of the bar 29 by angle brackets 28 is the upper right twister assembly 30. Just below assembly 30 and secured to bar 22 by angle brackets 32 is the lower right twister assembly 34. The bars are spaced apart throughout their length and U-shaped in configuration as shown in Fig. 5. Extending between the upper flanges of the U-shaped bars and ad acent their upper faces and throughout most of their length is plate 35 having therein a slot 36.

Disposed above plate 35 is the conveyor track 38. The track is secured to the bars by the angle brackets 37 and bolts 39, and to the stationary top wall 41 of the left hand twister assembly by the angle bracket 37a and bolts 37b and 3%, as shown in Figs. 4, 6 and 15. Bolts 43 extend through the plate 35 and are threaded into the track 38 to dependingly support the former from the latter. The track i provided with a vertical slot 40 extending throughout the central portion thereof and terminating as shown in Fig. 3 at 45. A laterally cut longitudinal slot 42, coextensive with slot 36, opens into each side of slot 40. At the left hand end of the track 38, slot 42 is inclined upwardly as at 42a, as shown in Figs. 4, 12 and 15. A conveyor head generally indicated as 44 in Fig.

7 is adapted to slidably rest upon the upper face of plate- 35 and slide within slot 40 of the track. The head comprises a block 46, hold-down-pins 43 and 50, and a depending finger 52 which slides within slot 36 of plate 35. The head is longitudinally actuated by a fluid pressure cylinder and piston construction 54 provided with a piston connecting rod 56 and pin 58 coupled to the head, as shown in Fig. 12.

Adapted to laterally slide within the channels 60 and 62 between the legs of the U-shaped base plates 20 and 22 are the two movable channel members or wire supporting members 64 and 66. They are best shown in cross section at Figs. 5 and 5A. Fig. 3 shows their length as substantially that of the base plates 20 and 22. Adjacent each end of the channels or supports are individual channels forming extensions of channels 64 and 66 and adapted for lateral movement independent of channels 64 and 66. Beginning at the left end of Fig. 3 through the section S-8, shown in Fig. 8, a channel member or wire support 66a, forming an extension of channel member 66, is L-shaped in cross section and is mounted by means of fasteners 67 upon moveable wall 68 of the left hand twister assembly 26. Shown in dotted outline is a zigzag wire section 70 with one edge resting on the leg of channel 66a. Opposed to channel 66a i channel or wire holding head 64a which is an extension of channel member 64.

As shown in Figs. 3, 4, 8 and 9 channel or holding head 64a is provided throughout substantially one half its length with a channel or slot 720 which is an extension of slot 72 of channel 64. It will be noted in Figs. 5 and 5A that the slot or channel 72 in wire support 64 is defined by opposed spaced apart shoulders 71 and 73. These shoulders provide smooth uninterrupted surfaces over and between which the lateral edges of a wire strip may slide into the machine. Throughout the remainder of its length the upper wall of channel 72a is cut away so that in cross section it is a complement of channel 66:: as shown in Fig. 8. Member 64a is laterally slidable in base plate 22, being actuated by piston rod 74 coupled with hydraulic cylinder 76.

When the wire is introduced into the machine it slides upon the upper face of the leg of channel or wire support 66a and within the channel 72a. Upon initial introduction of the wire into the machine finger 52, which rement of the conveyor, engages one of the loops in the wire and as the conveyor backtracks to the right hand end of.

the machine it pulls the wire with it. Fig. 12 shows the finger 52 in engagement with the wire at the completion of the conveying operation. During the remainder of the description of the channel members or wire sup ports 64 and 66 and the extensions thereof designated with alphabetical sufiixes, it should be understood that they are in the closed" position when the wire is introduced into and drawn through the machine. They are opened to successively release different portions of the wire during the bending operation until the operation is completed, and all elements of the channel are finally opened and the wire is then free to fall from the machine. The closed position is shown in Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 13 while the open position is shown in Figs. 5a and 8a. In the.

latter position the channels are laterally moved away from each other a distance suflicient to disengage the wire. After the wire bending operation is completed and the wire is released the channels resume'the closed" position preparatory to reception of a new wire section.

therewith. The carriage 82 is actuated by a piston rod 88 operatively coupled with iiuid pressure cylinder 90. Mounted on the shaft 80 within an opening in the carriage is a pinion gear 2. A rack 94 engages the gear and is connected to rod 96 in turn operatively coupled with fluid pressure cylinder 98. The cylinder is supported by the carriage for slidable movement therewith, as shown in Fig. 4. A rack guide 100 back up the rack 4 to keep it constantly engaged with the pinion gear 92.

Also housed within the twister assembly 26 is a second movable carriage 102. A fluid pressure cylinder 104 coupled to the carriage by rod 106 is adapted to actuate 4 the latter. As with twister 78 a rack 10S and pinion gear areoperatively coupled by rod 111 with a fiuid pressure cylinder 112 hung from the bottom of carriage 102. The pinion gear 110 is mounted on a shaft 114 which upon its outer end, and adjacent twister 78, exhibits twister 116, having therein a wire receiving slot 118. A rack guide positions the rack 108 for constant engagement with the gear 110.

' Fastened to the front of carriage 102 by fasteners 121 is the other movable front wall 122 of the twister assembly. As with movable Wall 68 previously described, wall 122 moves with the carriage. Mounted by fasteners 124 to the wall is channel member or wire support 66b which is intermediate channel members 66 and 66a. As shown in Fig. 6, the channel 66b is provided with a wire receiving slot 126a which is aligned with the corresponding slot 126 in channel 66 and the upper face of channel 66a. Each of the slots 126, 126a and slot 126b hereinafter described is defined by smooth uninterrupted spaced apart shoulders as shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 15, similar to shoulders 71 and 73 hereinbefore described in connection with slot 72, and between which and over which shoulders the lateral edges of a wire strip slide as the strip is drawn into the machine by the conveyor.

In the operation of the twisters hereinbefore described the cylinders 98 and 112 at predetermined intervals move respectively the racks 94 and 108 which in turn serve to rotate the pinion gears and thence the twistcrs. The amount of rotation of the twisters is determined by set screws 128 which abut the ends of the racks. After twister 78 has rotated it is retracted by the action of cylinder 90. As the twister is retracted so too is channel 661:. At substantially the same moment that twister 78 retracts, channel member 64a retracts through operation of cylinder 76. After twister 116 has rotated it retracts and in doing so channel 66b is retracted also. Channel or wire support 64 remains in the closed position until after further bending operations hereinafter described.

Located intermediate the twister assemblies 26 and 30 re the channel members or wire supports 66, before mentioned, and wire support 66:: which is an extension of channel 66. Fluid pressure cylinder 130 is coupled by rod 132 to channel 66, and is adapted to laterally move channel 66 within base plate 20 to either the open or closed position. Channel 660 is adapted to laterally slide within the base plate 20 in a manner similar to that of channel member 66 shown in Fig. 5. Channel 660 is provided with a longitudinal wire receiving slot 126!) corresponding to slot 126 of channel 66 shown in Fig. 5.

Channel or wire support 66c is secured to a movable front wall 133 of twister assembly 30 by means of bolts 137. The movable front wall 133 is mounted by means of fasteners 136 upon the slidable carriage 134 housed within the assembly. The carriage is adapted to be moved by rod 138 (see Fig. 3) coupled therewith and with cylinder 140. Rotatably supported by the carriage 134 upon shaft 142 is the twister 144. A pinion gear 146 (see Fig. 11) mounted upon shaft 142 is adapted to engage rack 148 and be rotated thereby. The rack is coupled by means of rod .150 with fluid pressure cylinder 152. The cylinder is mounted on the top of the carriage 134 and adapted to move therewith. A wedge 154 positions the rack for constant engagement with the gear 146. Upon completion of rotation of twister 144 and the consequent bending of wire 70 hereinatfer described, the twister is retracted to the open position. As the twister retracts so too retracts the channel 126k.-

Intermediate channels 66 and 66c is a wire holding head 156 (see Figs. 7 and 15). The head is provided with a slot 158 corresponding with the slots 126 and 12619 in the adjacent channels or wire supports, and is adapted to move laterally within the base plate 20 as does channel 66 shown in Fig. 5. The head is actuated by fluid pressure cylinder 160 connected to the head by rod 162, and is movable laterally within the base plate 20 to either the open"or closed positions When thezigz ag wire is positioned by the conveyor just prior to the commencement of the bending operations one of the loops thereof is positioned within the slot 158 of the head. When the I adjacent channels 66 and 66c are retracted to the open position, head 156 remaining in the closed position, supports the wire during the continued bending thereof.

Opposite clamp 156 is a pair of twisters 164 and 166 respectively. Each twister is mounted upon rotatable shafts 168 and 170 geared together by pinion gears 172 and 174. The shafts are carried by a laterally slidable carriage 176 housed in'the left half of twister assembly 34. As shown in Fig. 3, a fluid pressure cylinder 178 is connected by rod 180 to the carriage 176 to impart thereto the desired lateral movement.

Mounted on, but above the carriage 176 is a pair of fluid pressure cylinders 182 and 184 respectively provided with rods 186 and 188. A pair of racks 190' and 192 is connected to the rods and adapted to engage pinion gears 172 and 174. While one cylinder and accompany ing rack might sumce to rotate the twister, smoother operation results from the use of two such racks and cylinders. The racks are respectively positioned for constant engagement with the gears by wedges 194 and 196. As shown in Fig.- 10, adjacent twisters 164 and 166 is the channel member or wire support 64. It is shaped in cross section as shown in Fig. and provided with the wire receiving slot '72 hereinbefore mentioned. A fluid pressure cylinder 198, connected to the channel by rod 200, serves to impart thereto the desired lateral movement. At the extreme left end of channel 64and opposite twister 116, the bottom of the channel is cut away as shown in Fig. 13. Such cut away portion of the channel 64 permits twister 116 to bend downwardly the left end of the wire without retracting channel 64. It will be understood that channel 64a and twister. 78 with its accompanying channel 66a have been retracted to the open position before such bending operation is performed.

Housed within the right half of twister assembly 34 is movable carriage 202. The desired lateral movement is imparted to the carriage by fluid pressure cylinder 204 connected to the carriage by rod 206. A partition 288 separates the two compartments of the assembly 34 and the two carriages 1'76 and 202. Mounted upon and above carriage 292 is fluid pressure cylinder 210 operatively connected by rod 212 to rack 214. A twister 216, mounted upon a rotatable shaft 218 which is supported by carriage 202, extends beyond movable wall 220 of the twister assembly. The wall 226 is secured by fasteners 222 to the front of the carriage. A pinion gear 224 is mounted on shaft 218 and adapted to engage the rack 214 for rotatable movement therewith. A wedge 226 positions the rack for constant engagement with the pinion gear. The twister 216 is provided with a slot 228 as in twister 166, and is adapted to be rotated to a position such that slot 228 is aligned withslot 72 in channel 64.

The machine as above described may receive the zigzag wire sections either directly from the forming machine, i. e., the machine which bends a length of wire into the zigzag shape and cuts the wire so bent into predetermined lengths, or it may receive the sections as introduced manually by the operator. In the following description the machine is described as operating in conjunction with and as receiving the wire sections directly from the forming machine. But it is not intended to limit the inventive concept solely to such cooperative functioning with the forming machine, and-manual introduction of wire sections into the machine by .the operator is an alternative.

Fig. 14 of the drawings schematically illustrates the control and operation of the electrical and hydraulic or pneumatic circuits which energize the various hereinbefore described cylinders. In the following description pneumatic cylinders are employed.

: In the forming machine the zigzag wire is cut to determined' lengths'and such lengths are then fed to the air control valves are mentioned.

I wire cut-off mechanism of such machine.

bending machine. Shown as 230 in Fig. 14 is the ro tatable shaft of the forming machine which actuates the A cam 232 mounted on the shaft is adapted to engage and close limit switch 234 as the shaft rotates. The cam is so positioned, on the shaft that it closes the switch at substantially'the same moment the cut-off mechanism of the forming machine cuts off a section of zigzag wire.

Electrical leads 236 and 238 energize timer motor 240., The motor is adapted to rotate cams 242, 244, 246, 248, 252, 254, and 256. Cam 244 is adapted to energize lead wire 258 and thence electrically operated twoway valve 260 which controls the air intake to cylinder 54. Air for the cylinders is supplied by a pump (not shown) through line 262, and its various branch lines. Air is exhausted from the cylinders through line 264 and its branches. In the following description two-way It is to be understood that they are electrically operated and that the electrical valve actuator and the valve itself are referred to as twoway valves, or valves.

As the first step in the operation of the machine, the valve 260 is energized thereby admitting air to cylinder 54. At this moment the zigzag wire section from the forming machine has been introduced into the bending machine a distance suflicient to be engaged by finger 52 on the conveyor 44 when the conveyor is at the extreme left end of the machine. When the conveyor is so positioned it is raised above the introduced wire section by virtue of the upward angle of slot 42 at the left end of conveyor track 38. Portion 42a of slot 42 provides means in the path of travel of the conveyor and cooperating with conveyor for reciprocating the finger 52 during shifting of the conveyor along slot 42. As cylinder 54 is supplied with air at its forward end, it moves the conveyor from the left to the right end of the track with the conveyor riding down the incline 42a of slot 42 at the left of the track permitting finger 52 to engage the wire and shift or draw it along between the wire supports 64 and 66. Before the timer motor started operating, the channels or supports 64 and 66, the extensions thereof including wire holding head 64a, and all the twisters and the wire holding head 156 have been returned to the closed position. Therefore as the conveyor draws the wire section toward the right end of the bending machine, the wire passes through the wire receiving slots in the channels, twisters, etc. When the conveyor reaches its extreme right hand limit of travel shown in Fig. 12 the wire has been positioned in the machine for the bending operations.

The second step in the operation occurs when the motor has rotated cam 246 to a position where it energizes the two two-way valves controlling the admission of air to cylinders 210 and 98. These valves operate in the same manner as valve 260. As the valve controlling cylinder 98 is actuated air is admitted to cylinder 98 resulting in the rotation of twister 78. Simultaneously air is admitted to cylinder 210 through the energizing of its control valve, with the result that twister 216 is rotated. The twisters are rotated to bend each end of the wire sections upwardly as shown in the second view from the top of Fig. 1. This completes the second step in the operation.

Upon further rotation by the timer motor the cam 248 is positioned for the third step of the operation. The air control valves of cylinders 90, 204, and 76 are energized and rotated to admit air to their respective cylinders.

Admission of air to cylinder 76 retracts channel member The fourth step in the operation occurs when cam 250 energizes the air control valves associated with cylinders 112 and 152. The valves are actuated to admit air to cylinder 112 which rotates twister 116 tobendthe left end of the wire downwardly, and to admit air to cylinder 152 which rotates twister 144 to bend the wire upwardly at the rightend thereof. The wire has now been bent as shown in the third view from the top of Fig. 1.

The fifth step begins as the timer motor rotates cam 252 to a position which energizes the air control valves associated with cylinders 198, 130, 104, and 14d, and actuates them to permit admittance of air thereto. The admission of air to these cylinders causes the cylinders to respectively retract to the open position the following elements of the machine: channel member 64, channel member 66, carriage 102 and the twister 116 and associated channel 66b, and carriage 134 together with twister 144 and channel member 66c. This completes the fifth step. It should be noted at this point that the wire section is now held by only the wire holding head 156 and the two twisters 164 and 166 as the remainder of the channel members and twisters have been retracted.

The sixth step involves bending the wire by the two twisters 164 and 166 as shown in the lowermost view of Fig. 1. This is accomplished by the continued rotation of the timer motor which now brings cam 254 to a posi tion of contact with the lead wires and thus energizes the air valves associated with cylinders 182 and 184. The air valves are actuated and admit air to cylinders 182 and 184 thereby causing the cylinders to rotate the twisters 164 and 166. The wire is bent as before mentioned and the sixth step is completed. Because the channel members and twisters employed in the foregoing steps have been retracted to the open position, and because the wire was supported by head 156 and twisters 164 and 166, the wire was free to swing downwardly to complete the bend. The wire is now suspended from the machine somewhat in the position shown in the lowermost view of Fig. l.

The seventh step of releasing the wire thereby permitting it to fall from the machine, is accomplished when the timer motor has rotated cam 256 to a position such that the lead Wires will energize the air valves associated with cylinders 178 and 160. Energizing the valves actuates them to permit air to enter the cylinders and thus serve to retract carriage 176 with the twisters 164 and 166, and to retract head 156. ,The retraction of these members to the open position completely releases the wire which then falls from the machine.

The final step is accomplished when the timer motor valves which employ spring means are returned to their original positions. Upon being so actuated the air heretofore admitted to move the cylinders to actuate the twlsters, channels, etc., is cut off and the air from the pump is redirected to cause the cylinders to move the twisters, channels, etc. to their original positions. The machine is now ready to repeat the steps.

What we claim is:

1. In a machine for bending preformed zigzag wire, opposed wire supports shaped to define wire receiving channels and adapted to reciprocate toward and away from each other to successively support and release a zigzag wire disposed in the channels, a plurality of rotatable and reciprocable wire bending heads operable in timed relationship with the movements of said supports and adapted to extend through said supports with the heads interrupting the lineal extent of the channels, a wire conveyor slidably disposed superiacent the supports and provided with a finger portion adapted to interpose the supports and operable in timed relationship with said heads to draw a section of zigzag wire through the channels, and means disposed at one end of travel of the. conveyor provided with an inclined surface portion operable to abut the conveyor to elevate the finger from be tween the supports at such end of travel of the conveyor.,

twisting heads extending through said supports and ro-. tatable therein in timed relationship with the movement thereof to either align the slotted portions with the channels or dispose them inangular relationship therewith, a conveyor slidably disposed superjacent the supports and provided with a finger portion adapted to reciprocably interpose the supports in timed relation with the move ment thereof to engage a zigzag wire disposed in said channels, and means coupled with the conveyor and the supports to time their respective movements.

3. In a machine for bending preformed zigzag wire, two parallel opposed wire supports defining wire receiving. channels with each support having portions thereof independently reciprocable toward and away from the opposed supports, a plurality of rotatable and reciprocable wire bending heads extending through each support adjacent the channel therein and provided with a slotted portion alignable with said channel upon rotation and reciprocation of the heads in timed relationship with the movement of thesupports, and a conveyor synchronously coupled with the supports and slidably disposed superjacent thereto with a finger depending from the conveyor adapted to reciprocatingly interpose the supports during the sliding movement of the conveyor thereover, and means disposed in the path of movement of the conveyor and cooperating therewith to reciprocate the finger. t p

4. In a machine for bending preformed zigzag wire, a pair of opposed parallel wire supports adapted to reciprocate toward and away from each other with each support throughout a portion of its length shaped to define a wire receiving channel having a bottom wall and opposed side walls, a plurality of rotatable and reciproca ble wire bending heads extending through the bottom wall of at least one channel and provided with a slotted portion adapted to be aligned with said channels upon rotation and reciprocation of the heads in timed relation with the movement of the supports, a conveyor track disposed superjacent the. supports and provided with an upwardly inclined portion at one end thereof, and a conveyor synchronously coupled with the supports and slidably disposed upon the track with a depending finger portion adapted to interpose reciprocatingly the supports adjacent the channels during the sliding movement of the conveyor over said inclined portion of the track.

5. In a machine for bending preformed zigzag wire, a pair of spaced apart parallel members joined adjacent the upper faces by a transversely extending slotted plate with each member shaped to define an inwardly opening complementary channel, a channel shaped wire support slidably disposed within each channel and opening inwardly, means coupled with the wire supports to actuate them toward and away from each other, a plurality of rotatable and reciprocable wire bending elements extending through and interrupting the lineal extent of the channel of each wire support and shaped to define a slotted head portion alignable with the channels during a portion of the rotation and reciprocation of the elements in synchronism with the reciprocation of the supports, and a conveyor synchronously coupled with the supports and slidably mounted on said transversely extending slotted plate and provided with a depending finger portion adapted to extend downwardly through the slot in said plate to interpose the supports during a portion of the movement of the conveyor, and camming means dis posed at one end of the plate and adapted to engage said 9 t conveyor to elevate the finger from between the supports as the conveyor abuts the camming means.

6. In a machine for bending preformed zigzag wire, parallel spaced apart wire supports shaped to define opposed linearly extending wire receiving channels mounted to be moved toward and away from each other, a pinrality of reciprocable and rotatable wire bending heads supported to be moved reciprocably through said supports and spaced apart along the lineal extent of the supports at positions such that a zigzag wire disposed between said supports is engaged by the heads adjacent the loops in the wire, a wire conveyor disposed slidably above the supports and adapted to slide along a surface varying in distance from the supports, a finger depending from the conveyor and interposing the supports during a portion of the slidable travel of the conveyor and adapted to engage and draw a zigzag wire between the supports and position some of the loops therein adjacent said bending heads, and mechanism operatively coupled with and synchronizing the movements of the supports and heads and conveyor. 7 I

7. In a machine for bending preformed zigzag wire, a pair of opposed wire supports each movable toward and away from the other and each shaped to define a wire receiving slot opening outwardly toward the opposed support, means coupled with the supports to actuate the same, a wire twisting head mounted for rotation and reciprocation through one of said movable supports and shaped to define a wire receiving slot alignable with the slots of the supports upon determined rotation of the head, means coupled with the head to rotate the same, and means coupled with the head to reciprocate the same in timed relation to the rotation of the head and the reciprocation of the supports.

8. In a machine for bending preformed zigzag wire having successive loop portions connected together by substantially straight wire portions, a pair of adjacent twister heads adapted to engage adjacent loops of a zigzag wire along one side thereof and mounted for rotation and joint reciprocation, each head shaped to define spaced apart wire engaging portions alignable with the similar portions of the adjacent head upon a determined rotation of heads, a wire support mounted for reciprocation op-' posite the heads and movable toward and away therefrom and shaped to define a wire receiving slot having a length just suificient to accommodate the loop portion of a z1gzag wire between the adjacent loops engaged by the heads, and means coupled with the heads and with the support to time the movements thereof and operable to rotate the heads to bend those portions of the wire extending between the loops engaged by the heads and the loop engaged by the support and thereafter retract the heads and thesupport away from each other.

9. In a machine for bending preformed zigzag wire having successive loop portions connected together by substantially straight wire portions, a pair of oppositely disposed wire twisting heads mounted for rotation and for: reciprocation toward and away from each other and each adapted to engage one loop of a pair of successive loops of a zigzag wire, a pair of oppositely disposed reciprocable wire supports each movable toward and away from the opposed support and shaped to define a wire receiving channel opening toward the opposed support, said supports disposed adjacent the heads to support a plurality of loops of zigzag wire adjacent the loops engaged by the heads, and means coupled with the heads and with the supports to time the respective movements thereof and operable to rotate one of the heads to bend the wire between the successive loops engaged by the heads and there after retract such rotated head away from the other head and thereafter rotate the second head to twist the wire between the successive loops engaged by such head and the adjacent supports and thereafter retract the head and the supports away from the wire.

10. In amachine for bending preformed zigzag wire if) having successive loop portions connected together by substantially straight wire portions, a pair of adjacent twister heads mounted for rotatable and reciprocable movement with each head shaped to define spaced apart wire engaging portions alignable with the similar portions of the adjacent head upon determined rotation of the heads, a pair of adjacent wire receiving supports disposed opposite the heads and mounted for individual reciprocable movement toward and away from the heads and shaped to define a pair of adjacent wire receiving and supporting channels alignable upon determined reciprocation of the supports, each of said supports having one side wall of the channel cut away throughout a portion of the lineal dimension of the channel so that each support will grip at least one loop of a Zigzag wire within the channel and permit an adjacent loop to be bent out of the plane of the channel, said supports so disposed with respect to the twister heads that the loops of wire intermediate the loops received by the supports will be received within the twister heads for rotation therewith, and means coupled with the heads and with the supports to time the respective movements thereof and operable to rotate one of the heads to twist a substantially straight wire portion of a zigzag wire between a successive pair of loops and thereafter cause such head and its oppositely disposed support to move away from each other and thereafter cause the second twister head to rotate and bend another portion of the wire between another successive pair of loops and thereafter cause the second twister and its 0ppositely disposed support to move away from each other.

11. In a machine forbending preformed zigzag Wire, a plurality of wire supports arranged in two parallel opposed rows with the supports of each row movable towardv and away from the supports of the other row, said supports shaped to define wire receiving and supporting channels adapted to support a wire between the rows, means coupled with the supports of each row to move successively the supports in each row away from the supports of the opposed row to release successively portions of va wire supported between the rows, wire twisting mechanism including a plurality of slotted head members mounted for rotation and reciprocation between some of the sup ports of at least one row and adapted to be rotated and reciprocated to positions of alignment with the support ing channels and rotated and reciprocated to positions of misalignment with the supporting channels, and timing means coupled with said mechanism and the first ment-ioned means and operable to coordinate the movements of the slotted head members and the supports.

12. In a machine for bending preformed zigzag wire, a plurality of wire supports arranged in two parallel opposed rows with the supports of each row movable toward and away from the supports of the otherrow, said supports shaped to define wire receiving and supporting channels adapted to support a wire between the rows, means coupled with the supports of each row and operable to move certain of the supports in each row synchronously away from the opposed row and move other certain of the supports in each row synchronously away from the opposed row in timed relation with the synchronous movement of the first mentioned certain supports, and wire twisting mechanism including a plurality of wire twisting heads interposed between the first of said certain supports and the second of said certain supports and rotatable in timed relation with the movements of the supports to twist a wire disposed between the supports.

13. In a machine for bending pr-e-formed zigzag wire, a frame, opposed linearly extending wire supporting members mounted on the frame for movement toward and away from each other t-o support or release a zigzag wire disposed between the members, said members provided with linearly extending wire supporting surfaces over which a zigzag wire may slide into the machine, means coupled with the members for actuating the same; a plurality of wire engaging heads arranged along a Wire supported between said members and each head provided with spaced apart wire engaging portions adapted 'to be received over a loop of the zigzag wire, said .heads mounted for movement toward and away from the wire to support or release the wire after said members have moved away from the wire, means coupled with the heads to reciprocate the same, some of said heads also mounted for rotation to bend the wire with means coupled to said heads for rotating the same, a wire conveyor mounted on the frame and provided with a movable wire engaging portion adapted to engage the transversely extencing loop connecting portions of the wire to urge the wire slidably over the wire supporting surfaces of said wire supporting members, means coupled with the wire conveyor for actuating said movable Wire engaging portion, and timing apparatus coupled with all of said means and operable to time the movements of said supporting members and wire engaging heads and wire conveyor.

14. in a machine for imparting a plurality of bends to a preformed zigzag wire, the combination comprising: a frame, a plurality of wire twisting heads and wire holding heads mounted on the frame and arranged along opposite sides of a zigzag wire disposed in the machine, each of said heads provided with opposed wire engaging portions adapted to be received over a loop of the Wire, mechanism mounted on the frame and coupled with the wire twisting heads to rotate and reciprocate the same, means mounted on the frame and coupled with the wire holding heads to reciprocate the same, shiftable wire supporting means mounted on the frame and extending between said heads and provided with a smooth wire supporting surface disposed beneath the wire and upon which the wire is supported for longitudinal sliding movement between the heads, said wire supporting meansbeing shiftable from a position in which the wire supporting surface underlies and supports the wire to a position laterally displaced from the wire, actuating mechanism mounted on the frame and coupled with the wire supporting means for shifting the same, a conveyor mechanism mounted on the frame and including a movable wire engaging portion adapted to engage the wire to shift the same longitudinally over the supporting surface of the wire' supporting means between the heads, and timing means coupled with all of the aforesaid means and mechanism and operable to time their respective movements.

15. In a machine for bending pre-formed zigzag wire, a frame,opposed spaced apart wire supports mounted on the frame and shiftable toward and away from each other and each shaped to define a pair of spaced apart smooth uninterrupted shoulders adapted to receive therebetween one lateral edge of a zigzag wire with the shoulders of the opposed supports cooperable to'hold or release the wire between the supports, means mounted on the frame and coupled with the supports to shift the same toward and away from each other, a plu'rality of slotted wire twisting heads mounted on the frame and arranged along the linear extent of the supports and each head adapted to be received over a loop of the wire, means coupled with said heads for rotating the same to positions of alignment or misalignment with the spaced apart shoulders of said supports, wire conveying and positioning mehcanism mounted on the frame and having a part extending downwardly between said spaced apart supports and adapted to engage the wire at the transverse loop connecting portions thereof and shiftable longitudinally of the supports to draw a wire therethrough when the slotted wire twisting heads are aligned with the spaced apart shoulders of the supports, and means coupled with the conveying and positioning mechanism to operate the same in timed relation with the movement of the supports and rotation of the heads. t

16. In a machine for bending pro-formed zigzag wire, a frame, opposed spaced apart wire supports mounted on the frame for shiftable movement toward and away from each other and each shaped to define a pair of spaced apart shoulders adapted to receive therebetween one lateral edge of a zigzag wire with the shoulders of the opposed supports cooperable to hold or release the wire between the supports upon shiftable movement thereof, means coupled with the supports to shift the same toward and away from each other, a plurality of slotted wire twisting heads mounted on the frame and arranged along the linear extent of the supports with each head adapted to be received over a loop of the wire, means coupled with said heads for rotating the same to positions of alignment or misalignment with the spaced apart shoulders of said supports, wire conveying and positioning mechanism mounted on the frame above said supports and having a movable wire engaging portion adapted to engage the wire at the transverse loop connecting portions and shift the wire along between the supports when the slotted wire twisting heads are aligned with the spaced apart shoulders of the supports, and means coupled with the conveying and positioning mechanism to operate the same in timed relation with the movement of the supports and the rotation of the heads. 7

17. In a machine for imparting a plurality of bends in a pro-formed zigzag wire, a frame, a pair of parallel opposed rows of reciprocable wire supports mounted on the frame and extending along the lateral edges of a zigzag wire disposed in the machine with the supports of each row adapted to be shifted selectively away from the wire to release determined portions of the wire, means mounted on the frame and coupled with the supports for selectively shifting the same, a plurality of rotatable slotted Wire twisting heads mounted on the frame and arranged along the linear extent of the rows of supports with the slots in the heads adapted to be received over determined loops of a zigzag wire disposed between the supports with the heads rotatable to positions of slot alignment or misalignment with the supports, means coupled with the heads to rotate the same, Wire conveying and positioning mechanism mounted on the frame and having a movable wire engaging portion adapted to engage the wire at the transverse loop connecting portions and shift the wire along between the supports when the slotted wire twisting heads are aligned with the supports and position determined loops of the wire in the slots of the twisting heads, and timing apparatus coupled with all of said means and with the conveying and positioning mechanism and operable to initiate movements thereof in timed relation.

18. In a machine for bending pre-formed zigzag wire, a pair of opposed wire guiding and supporting members each movable toward and away from the other and each shaped to define a linearly extending wire guiding and supporting surface with such surfaces of the opposed members cooperable to support a Wire between the members when the members are moved toward each other and release the wire when the members are moved away from each other, means coupled with said members for actuating the same, a wire twisting head mounted for rotation and reciprocation in the plane of the wire guiding and supporting surface of said members and provided with spaced wire engaging portions adapted to engage a loop of a zigzag wire supported between said members, means coupled with the head to rotate and reciprocate the same, a wire holding chuck mounted for reciprocation adjacent one of the members and provided with spaced wire engaging surfaces adapted to'engage a loop of the zigzag wire along the other side of the wire from that engaged by the twisting head, means coupled with the holding chuck to reciprocate the same, and timing mechanism coupled to all of said means and operable to initiate movement of said members away from each other whereby the wire is supported by the twisting head and holding chuck and thereafter initiate rotation of the twisting head to bend the wire and thereafter initiate retraction of the twisting head and holding chuck away from the wire to release the same. i

19. In a machine for bending pro-formed zigzag Wire:

arrears opposed linearly extending wire supporting members each provided with a wire supporting surface and each mounted for movement toward and away from the other to support or release a zigzag wire disposed between the members and resting upon the supporting surfaces; means coupled with the members for actuating the same; a plurality of wire engaging heads arranged along opposite sides of a wire supported between said members with each head provided with a wire receiving slot adapted to receive a loop of the zigzag wire; said heads mounted for reciprocable movement toward and away from the wire to support or release the wire after said supports have moved away from each other; means coupled with the heads to reciprocate the same relative to the supports; at least some of said heads also mounted for rotatable movement to bend the wire with means coupled with such heads to rotate the same; and timing mechanism coupled with all of said means and operable to time the movements of the wire supports and wire engaging heads whereby upon retraction of the wire supports, the wire is held by the heads and after rotation of the heads, the heads are retracted away from the wire to release the same.

20. In a machine for bending at a plurality of spacedapart intervals a preformed sinuous wire strip having loop portions connected together by substantially straight wire portions: a frame; a plurality of wire-engaging heads mounted on the frame along opposite lateral edges of a wire strip disposed in the machine with the heads movable toward and away from the lateral edges of the strip to engage and release loops of the strip; said heads arranged in pairs to engage oppositely facing adjacent loops of the strip; one head of each pair rotatable to bend the strip at the straight wire portion between the loops engaged by the pair of heads by twisting said straight wire portion; means mounted on the frame and coupled with each head to reciprocate the head; means mounted on the frame and coupled with the rotatable heads to rotate them; Wire strip supporting means mounted on the frame and disposed beneath a Wire strip positioned to be engaged by the heads to support the strip at spaced intervals therealong; wire-positioning means mounted on the frame and independent of said heads and supporting means and including a part shiftable toward and away from a wire strip supported on said supporting means to engage and position the strip longitudinally in the machine; and means for synchronizing operation of the heads with the positioning means whereby upon longitudinal positioning of a strip in the machine by the wire-positioning means, the means for re ciprocating the heads will move the heads to engage the strip and thereafter the means for rotating the heads will rotate the heads to bend the strip.

21. The invention as defined in claim numbered 20 characterized in that said wire-positioning means is mounted on the frame and disposed above a wire strip supported in the machine on said suporting means, and said wire-positioning means includes a part disposed above a wire strip in the machine resting on said supporting means and which part is movable toward and away from the wire strip to engage a straight wire loop-connecting portion of the strip to position the strip such that determined loops thereof are disposed in positions to be engaged by said heads, and each head includes a pair of spaced-apart portions receivable over a lateral edge of the wire strip with one portion lying above and the other lying below the strip with a loop between such portions and engaged thereby.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 518,426 Randall Apr. 17, 1894 1,028,404 Trabue June 4, 1912 2,130,318 Cruzan Sept. 13, 1938 2,390,283 Wilkins Dec. 4, 1945 2,392,340 Smith Jan. 8, 1946 2,450,876 Blumensaadt Oct. 12, 1948 2,468,717 Wennberg Apr. 26, 1949 2,615,478 Hopkes Oct. 28, 1952 2,632,482 Lincoln Mar. 24, 1953 2,681,085 Levine June 15, 1954 2,715,424 Fante Aug. 16, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 226,328 Germany Sept. 29, 1910 564,495 Germany Nov. 19, 1932 475,733 Canada July 31, 1951 

